Expert opinion
Professor E. S. Keshishyan says that “to one degree or another, intestinal dysfunctions occur in almost all young children and are a functional, to some extent conditional physiological state during the period of adaptation and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract of an infant. Intestinal colic is caused by the morphofunctional immaturity of the neuromuscular apparatus of the child’s intestines against the background of the immaturity of the enzyme system and the formation of intestinal microbiocenosis”**. Nevertheless, colic still remains the most poorly understood condition among the symptoms of digestive discomfort, so a variety of types of mixtures are used to treat its manifestations. In the treatment of symptoms of minimal digestive dysfunctions, such as colic, constipation, regurgitation, everything is important: whether the child was born full-term or not, naturally or by cesarean section (children born through cesarean section are characterized by a longer formation of intestinal microflora), whether it was breastfed or on artificial, mixed feeding and much more.
Is colic normal?
Yes, colic is a completely normal and natural physiological state for a newborn (given that there are no symptoms of dehydration, hunger or signs of serious illness). Digestive discomfort and restlessness, called colic, are present in 70% of infants from two weeks to 6 months of age. Since colic is not a disease, the child does not need treatment. However, caring parents still strive to alleviate his condition, so they turn to their doctor.
Rating of mixtures for constipation and colic for newborns
Once reliable baby food manufacturers have been identified, you can move on to determining the criteria by which they were included in the top list. Initially, the opinions of leading pediatricians helped determine the list of contenders for the title of best mixtures for constipation and colic for newborns. Further, the experts relied on the following assessment criteria:
- Type – milk with gum, lactulose, adapted, fermented milk;
- Ingredients – split proteins, dietary fiber, vitamins, prebiotic, probiotic, etc.;
- Indications – individual physiological characteristics of the baby’s body;
- Age limit – the number “1” means up to six months;
- Safety – no GMOs, vegetable oils, flavors, taste enhancers;
- Directions for use – cooking method, packaging consumption;
- Storage – shelf life, storage requirements.
During the study, experts also got acquainted with the opinions of parents, who were convinced from their own experience of the quality and beneficial properties of various products. Based on this information, the defining strengths and weaknesses of each nominee were identified.
The best feeding bottles
It is important!
There can be several reasons for colic: from the immaturity of the baby’s gastrointestinal tract and disturbances in the composition of the intestinal microflora (the so-called dysbacteriosis) to more serious conditions.
Pediatrician A. A. Shcherbakova identifies the following reasons.
Transient lactase deficiency.
The carbohydrate lactose is an important component of breast milk or infant formula. To better break it down, an enzyme called lactase is needed. The first months of life are an important period of maturation of the child’s body, and at this time an insufficient amount of lactase may be produced in the baby’s digestive system (or its low activity is noted). In turn, its lack leads to difficulties with the breakdown of lactose. This is how transient (that is, temporary, passing) lactase deficiency occurs, causing colic.
Incorrect attachment of the baby to the breast (during breastfeeding and mixed feeding).
For proper feeding, the mother needs to be in a relaxed state, take a comfortable position and make sure that the baby grasps the nipple with the areola and does not swallow air. Babies who suck voraciously are at especially high risk of colic: they may swallow air, which enters the intestines and forms gas bubbles that cause discomfort.
Improper bottle feeding.
All modern bottles are equipped with a valve that releases excess air. There are also anti-colic bottles with anatomically shaped nipples that follow the contours of the female nipple. A comfortable and physiological grip on the nipple minimizes the likelihood of the baby systematically swallowing air during feeding.
Poor nutrition for a nursing mother.
Many researchers associate the occurrence of colic in infants with food allergies. Nowadays, many children are born with a predisposition to food allergies. For example, the most common cause of food allergies in young children is intolerance to cow's milk proteins. That is, for a mother who is breastfeeding and who has a family history of food allergies, it is better to limit or completely exclude products containing cow’s milk protein from her diet, since this causes an allergy in the child, and colic in such a case is an allergic reaction. If we talk about non-dairy products in a mother’s diet, then we can note the widespread opinion about legumes. In fact, legumes can affect the mother's bloating, but if she tolerates such foods well, then she can eat pea soup and other dishes - this will not affect the baby's colic.
Incorrectly selected milk formula.
Feeding a bottle-fed baby helps control colic. For example, cow's milk protein intolerance may be accompanied by colic. In this case, the formula based on whole cow's milk protein will most likely have to be changed.
The psychological and physical climate plays a big role in the nutrition of infants.
The main thing is to provide the baby with a favorable environment during feeding with direct contact between the nursing woman and the child. It is important that the mother looks at the baby, and he looks at the mother, and that nothing distracts them. When parents ask whether a cat, loud noises or bright lights can cause colic, the answer is of course not. However, external bright stimuli can become provocateurs of colic: create a nervous environment around the baby and lead to aerophagia.
Anti-colic mixtures in the store materna-shop.ru
Mixtures with probiotics normalize intestinal microflora and help babies get rid of pain.
Such mixtures include the low-lactose mixture Materna Extra Care Comfort for babies from birth.
It contains components that facilitate digestion:
- probiotic Lactobacillus Rauti, which is naturally present in the intestinal microflora. It has been shown to reduce babies' crying time;
- a complex of polyunsaturated fatty acids LC-PUFA of the Omega-3 and Omega-6 families, which makes the mixture close to breast milk;
- Low-lactose carbohydrates, which are more easily broken down by the body;
- Nucleotides that strengthen the immune system and participate in the development of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Btaflmitt oil for easy digestion.
- Probiotics are also included in the MATERNA improved infant formula:
Materna Extra Care formulas are classic milk formulas with improved compositions, which have added a probiotic for comfortable digestion.
In addition to the probiotic, Materna Gold formulas contain oligosaccharides from mother's milk. This is a component of breast milk that has recently been synthesized and added to baby food. It is involved in the development of infant immunity. On our website you will find Pigeon and TWISTSHAKE bottles with anti-colic nipples and the Israeli children's drug Simicol to reduce gas formation in the intestines.
Thousands of families from Russia have already raised their children on the Israeli children's food "MATERNA". Here's what they say:
- “The baby had almost no colic or allergies. Our pediatrician, looking at the child, now advises everyone “MATERNA”.
- “The tummy is now calm, and the baby is full.”
- “The colic has gone away and the stool has improved; the child has been sleeping peacefully for 2 months now.”
- “The formula is simply a miracle, the baby is always full, and there are no problems with the tummy, the child is growing and developing.”
- “My tummy no longer hurts and my allergies are gone.”
All MATERNA baby food is produced without GMOs, without palm oil and without sugar under the strict control of the Israeli Ministry of Health.
You can buy anti-colic mixtures with delivery throughout Russia from a warehouse in Moscow only in the online store materna-shop.ru. Get a free consultation with a pediatrician on formula selection and answers to any questions about baby food!
It is important!
It is often enough to reassure the parents and wait until the baby outgrows this condition without changing the diet.
It must be remembered that a change in diet is a serious stress for a newborn. Which mixture is suitable for a baby with colic can only be determined by the doctor observing the child. It is very important whether the colic is isolated as a painful spastic syndrome or is it combined with other digestive disorders (colic, regurgitation, constipation). The choice of mixture depends on this.
How to help baby with colic?
Expert advice:
- You should place the child with his tummy in the palm of his hand (his legs hanging down), place his other hand under the child’s head, holding it lightly. The child will involuntarily begin to contract the abdominal wall and push gases in the desired direction. You can hold the baby in this position for a little while.
- A gas tube may be used to stimulate the bowel wall and promote bowel movements. Before using the tube, you should dip its end in oil, place the child on his side and insert it 3-5 cm into the anus with gentle twisting movements.
- Give the child dill water.
- 30 minutes before feeding, place the baby on his tummy.
- To treat colic, a pediatrician may prescribe medications that reduce the level of gas formation, agents that remove gases from the intestines or restore intestinal microflora.
When feeding formula, the mother should not conduct experiments “on the advice of her neighbors” and often change formulations and brands: this can cause allergies, colic or constipation. It is better to seek help in choosing a mixture from a pediatrician, allergist, or gastroenterologist.
What does Nutrilak offer?
Hypoallergenic mixtures, for example Nutrilak Premium hypoallergenic, are suitable for a baby at risk of food allergies (if there are allergy sufferers in the family). This mixture is recommended for colic at a very early age, when colic is a manifestation of the immaturity of the digestive system and sensitivity to cow's milk protein. This product contains unique LGG® bifidobacteria and provides triple protection against allergies.
More often, colic is combined with constipation or regurgitation. For constipation ,
accompanying colic, one of the effective correction options is a specialized mixture of Nutrilak Premium anti-reflux with natural locust bean gum fibers. Natural gum works as dietary fiber, improves intestinal function, and also promotes the growth of beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the intestines. Improving the state of microflora and regular bowel movements help eliminate colic and constipation.
The Nutrilak Premium fermented milk mixture has also proven itself well in the diet therapy of colic syndrome, accompanied by other digestive disorders (regurgitation, constipation). Fermented milk products have long been used to treat digestive disorders, and for babies, adapted fermented milk formulas have become a lifesaver because they can be used from a very early age. The product contains LGG® lactic acid bacteria complex and provides triple aid to baby's digestion.
Links:
*Savino F, Pelle E, Palumeri E, et al. Treatment of intestinal colic in infants: a comparison of the effectiveness of Lactobacillus reuteri (American Type Cuture Collection Strain 55730) and Simethicone (prospective randomized trial). Consilium medicum. 2007.
** Keshishyan E.S. Intestinal colic and correction of microbial colonization in children in the first months of life: Clinic. Differential diagnosis. Approaches to therapy. Lecture for doctors. M., 2007.
Allergy to cow's milk proteins or formula
Cow's milk protein (casein) can enter the baby's stomach along with the food of a mother who is breastfeeding and loves to eat porridge cooked with milk, milk added to muesli or cocoa.
How does an infant's allergy to formula manifest itself? The symptoms will be the same as with breastfeeding: the baby may have reduced hemoglobin, constipation, colic, frequent regurgitation, and streaks of blood in the stool.
Typically, the pediatrician in such cases diagnoses the child with atopic dermatitis. This allergic reaction is a temporary inability of the intestines to digest cow's milk proteins. Therefore, the main recommendation that the doctor will give you is to exclude milk and milk products from the diet of mother and child (sometimes this only needs to be done for a couple of months, sometimes for up to a year). Sometimes switching the diet of mother and child to goat's milk is successful.
